Electronic Dartboard

ABSTRACT

An electronic dartboard, pierce able or non pierce able that includes dart targets that light up, and the dartboard including the target material can conduct, transfer and transmit light, the dartboard and target material can also emit and reflect light into the atmosphere, or allow light to pass by the targets and dartboard material structure, the dartboard can have any number of targets, any shape of targets and board and any game pattern can be utilized, the dartboard components that make up the dartboard can be of any design and number and can be made from any suitable elements or materials, any source of electrical or other power can be utilized to operate the dartboard or satisfy the functional requirements for the game to be played, any means of lighting the dart targets can be used not just electricity, the power source needed to operate the board can be manually generated or power generated by electricity or any other power source.

This invention relates to an electronic dartboard.

Electronic dartboards are quite commonly used to play dart games, andusually comprise of an electronic mechanism that is situated behind thedartboard playing surface member. The electronic mechanism detects thelanded dart, which penetrates the playing surface area, and the scorefor hitting a particular target is then recorded electronically on apanel which can be situated separately from the dartboard, however thescore panel and dartboard will be connected together via an electronicmechanism.

Electronic Dartboards however restrict the dart players to using aparticular type of dart, that has been specifically designed toeffectively locate into the specially designed playing surface of thedartboard, with the dart point activating the electronic scoremechanism.

According to the present invention there is provided an ElectronicDartboard, comprising a dartboard body which can be pierce able or nonpierce able and to indicate which target the thrown dart has landedinto, the targets emit light, reflect light, can be luminous orilluminated. The light can be provided by the target material fibers oran integral light source possibly situated within the target frames andshining onto the playing area of the occupied targets, and to achievethis, bulbs can be used or light strips, including diodes filaments andother means of providing light. The light source can also be provided byelectrical equipment, which is non integral or separate from thedartboard. Optic fibers can be used for target material and to providethe target light. An electrical control box can be used to relayelectricity, possibly light and other from the light source to thetargets To activate or trigger the electrical mechanisms used toultimately light up the dart targets, target buttons, or electronic eyeequipment can be deployed, the target buttons are situated or placedwithin the target area, or can also be external or separate from thedartboard apparatus, as can the electronic eye equipment. The targetlight buttons can also be situated outside the target areas but on theremaining playing surface area, and this can also apply to theelectronic eye equipment. The target material that emits light can beother than than optic fibers. The target buttons can be pressed manuallyor can activate or move by the impact of a thrown dart landing onto orinto the button area, and the electronic eye system is activated by adart landing or passing the target aperture.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way ofexample with reference to the accompanying drawing in which

FIG. 1, shows in perspective, the dartboard body fitted to the wall, andthe electronic control box fitted also to the wall and positioned belowthe dartboard body.

FIG. 2, Illustrates an enlarged front view of one of the target frames,and showing the fiber targets, the electronic buttons and the electroniceyes.

FIG. 3, Illustrates a section view A A, which is taken through thecentre of the target electronic button assembly.

FIG. 4, shows a perspective view of one target frame, which is separatedfrom the dartboard body, the frame includes three separate targetapertures.

Referring to the drawing FIG. 4, target light push button 33, can bepushed in the direction of arrow c, and electrical contact 33, canconnect to its corresponding electrical contact, and ultimately, switchon the light 30, FIG. 4, this arrangement can exist in each individualtarget area, and 33, can alternatively be used to initially to activateoptic fibers 5, with the fibers being part of the target fibers. Theoptic fibers can light up the target to indicate to the player that heor she occupies the lit up target area. The button 33, can be a bladeshape, which should provide more strength to the movable button. Theblade or button is housed in the target frame 4, and slides in theaperture 34, formed through frame 4, the target frame.

Referring to the drawing the Electronic Dartboard comprises a dartboardtarget body 1, an electrical control box 2, and both are secured to thewall 3, 4 includes 16 target frames that are pressed into the dartboardbody 1, and 5, are the optic fibers which form the centre playing areaof the 48, individual target areas 6. The optic fibers, are also part ofthe manually or dart impact operated buttons or switches 7, which canmove in and out slightly, in order to switch the targets 6, optic fiber5, target lights on or off.

8 are the Electronic eye detectors, which detect the dart landing into aparticular dart target 6. 9 are the electric lights which illuminate thetarget areas 6, in target frames 3, and 10 are the color selectioncontrol electric buttons of which there are 6 different button colors,which when pressed provide 6 different light colors, for each of theindividual targets, 11 is the button switch to activate the electrictarget buttons or switches 7. 12 is the button switch used to activatethe electric light bulbs, light strips, diodes or other light means 9,and button switch 13 is used to activate the dart electronic eyedetectors 8. 14 is the wire loop used to fix the dartboard to the wall,and 15 is a nail which is used to hang the dartboard onto. 16 are thesheaths that cover and protect the optic fibers that connect the targets6, to the electronic control box 2. 17 to 24 are parts or componentsbelonging to the switch or target buttons assembly 28. 17 is the buttonor switch sheath, 18 is the return spring 20, and electrical contact 19,retainer plate that provides for the opening and closing of the targetbutton 7, 21 and 22 are the positioning and retainer plates for thebutton assembly 28, with 23 being the screws to hold 18 and 7 togetherand 24, is the return spring 20, location cavity. 25 is the electricaltransmission wire 29, contact, with 26, being the electrical wireretainer screws, 27, is the electrical transmission wire sheath, and 29,is the transmission wire terminal. 30, being the electric light bulb,light strip, diodes or other, and 31 is the opposing target edge to thelight apparatus 30, with 31 containing the electric eye. 31 is thetarget frame 4, target 6, periphery edge. To understand the next 22lines of the text no reference need be made to the drawings.

In order for the Electronic Dartboard to function as a whole certainmechanical and electrical functions or conditions need apply. One set ofconditions would provide the dartboard user with manual and dart impactactivated target buttons, where when operated would cause the playingand target surface materials to emit light, or activate target lightbulbs, strip lights, electrically operated diodes and other lightingcomponents including external light sources, which are external from thedartboard, but all of which would provide light to the target playingsurfaces. The light will enable the player to see which target his orher dart has landed into or is occupying, alternatively an electric eyecan be incorporated to again activate the playing surface lightmaterials such as fiber optics or other light emitting materials, andother light source emissions such as light bulbs, light strips, diodesand other. The electric eye is used to detect which targets the dartshave landed into. Thirdly an electric light can be used to illuminate orshine onto the target, and to operate the appropriate target light, boththe above method of target buttons and electric eyes can be deployed.Various colors of light can be provided by pressing the color codebuttons, providing each player with a different light color.

Referring to the drawing, FIG. 1, shows a perspective view of theelectronic dartboard, and the electrical relay box, with the dartboardbody being 1, FIG. 1, and the electrical relay control box box being 2,FIG. 1. The dartboard body houses quite a number of components, whichare visible in FIG. 1, and such components are 4, which are sixteentarget frames, with three target apertures in each frame 4, giving fortyeight targets on the dartboard. Also each target in each target frameincorporates a target button 7, FIG. 1, further to this, and inside thetarget button or switch, there are optic fibers 5, so the button switchand the optic fibers are housed in target areas 6. Added to this thereare electronic eyes 8, which are located on the inside of the targetframe 4, aperture, and there are also light bulbs, strip lights 9, whichcan contain filaments, neon particles, electric diodes, plus other lightemitting apparatus. Further to this FIG. 1, shows various electricalbuttons and optic fiber, and electrical cable connections.

Target buttons can be used to provide or activate ultimately a targetlight, and the electronic button assembly 28, FIG. 3, which includesvarious components or parts working in unison is housed in the dartboardbody 1, FIG. 1. When these parts are operated they can provide a targetdisplay light to all of the forty eight targets. The target buttonassembly is fully illustrated in FIG. 3, section drawing. To operate thetarget buttons 7, FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the dart player throws a dart toland within any of the sixteen dart target frames 4, FIGS. 1 and 2. Ifthe dart target apertures 6, FIGS. 1 to 4 are pierce able , the dartwill penetrate the target 6, and remain held in the target, so when theplayer has thrown all the allocated amount of darts into the dartboardthe player can then of course see which targets 6, the dart has landedinto. The player will then need to record which targets are occupied, sothis can be done by pressing each target button 7, in each target that adart has landed into. On pressing a target button, the button switch 7,FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 will slide or move slightly towards the back of thedartboard in the direction of arrow B FIG. 1. When contact is madebetween the two electrical contacts 19 FIG. 3, a switch in theelectronic control box 2, FIG. 1, will be activated via electricalterminal 29, and in turn the optic fibers 5, FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, willbecome live or activated and transmit or emit light to the surface ofthe occupied target 6, and on reaching the target surface the lightemitted from the optic fibers will be seen by the dart players, and thisparticular target will then remain lit until the game is finished. Theplayer can then of course repeat this on each of his or her turns, andcan maintain a visual record or light display showing all the targetswhich are occupied. The target optic fibers 5, are held inside thetubular switch or button 7, and move together with the switch or button7 on pressing. The fiber optics 5, of course provide the central targetfibers which can accommodate the thrown dart, so the fiber opticsprovide two uses, one, is to supply a target light, and two is toprovide target fiber material. Alternatively the target buttons can beused to switch on light bulb, or strip light 30, which can also be anelectric diode or other light emitting apparatus, which in turn willilluminate or shine onto the target to provide a lit up target. Onpressing the occupied target button an electrical signal will betransmitted via the control box 2, FIG. 1, and a further electricalsignal will activate the light emitting components which can be of manyvarious types, or any components capable of emitting light. 33, FIG. 4,is an alternative target light push button switch, housed in frametarget frame 4, Electronic eye systems can be used in order to provideor activate a target light source. The target body target frames 4,FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 house the electronic eye systems 8, FIGS. 1, 2, and 4.The electronic eyes 8, can activate light bulbs 30, FIG. 4, with theelectric eye dart detector being situated on the opposite frame edge 31,to the bulb accommodating edge 30, so when a dart lands into any of thetargets 6, the electronic eye 8, is activated and in turn activates, anyof the selected light emitting components, such as bulbs or other, andthis occurs via the electrical control box 2, FIG. 1, which in turnswitches on the, light emission mechanisms, which will provide lightwhich will shine onto or illuminate the target areas 6, with the lightthen reflecting off the targets, which can then be seen by the playersthus providing a means to determine which of the targets each of theplayers would occupy. The occupied target of course remaining lit forthe duration of the game. On landing a dart into any of the targets 6,apertures, a light wave and electrical signal will be connected to anelectrical switch, which may include electrical terminals, electricalpoints or any other electrical conveyance components, so thatelectricity will or can be transmitted to the target light emittingcomponents, such as light bulbs or other. Alternatively the electroniceye can be used to activate fiber optics 7, FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, butwithout the use of target button assembly 28. The fiber optics can beset rigidly into the target material and thus cancelling the need forelectronic buttons, with the light of course being emitted from thefiber optics on the dartboard playing surface.

Instead of having such an elaborate switch assembly 28, FIG. 3, a simplecombination of frame button switch 33, combined with light emittingcomponents 30, via, again, electrical contacts could be used, or 33,together with 5, which are the target optics.

The dartboard mentioned in this patent, contains or could contain,targets that are oblong in shape, but could also be any other shape.This dartboard has three targets to each individual target frame, butthere could be any amount of targets to each frame. The target frames orgroups are individually spaced, but they could all be adjacent. All thetargets in the target frames with three targets are the same size,however all the three targets in the frame could be a different size, ortwo of the three targets could be the same size, and the remainingtarget could be smaller than the two that are the same, or one targetcould be larger than the remaining two that are the same.

The target light emitting components can be secured anywhere on thedartboard, or external to the dartboard, they can be secured withincavities, that are attached to the dartboard frames or are mouldedwithin the frames, or secured to other locators within or attached tothe target frame. Any form of light emitting components can be used tolight up the targets and any method other than target buttons andelectric eyes can be used to trigger off the required signals, in orderto light up the target lights. Any form of light emission can be used tolight up the dart targets, and any form of light emitting components.The dartboard can be pierce able or non pierce able , which includes allforms of pierce able and non pierce able dartboards. Any types of dartsthat are suitable to many boards can be used to play the game. Thetargets in this patent, comprise of 16 target frames, but any amount offrames could be used, and there are four horizontal, and four verticaltarget rows on this dartboard, but any amount of vertical or horizontalrows could be used.

I will describe a particular target arrangement that I may findparticularly useful, and the technical details may be unique andclaimable, and the target arrangement details follows.

Several Individually spaced or adjacently joined dart target frames orsets. Each frame has four adjacently joined or separately spacedtargets, and the four targets can be a mixed selection or variety ofsizes and shapes.

All the four targets within the same set, can be the same size and canbe the same shape, or be a mixture of varying shapes. The four targetswithin the same set can have, three targets of the same size, with theone remaining target of the set being of a different size than itspartnering three targets, with the shape of the targets being the sameor varied. Also a combination of four targets of the same setcomprising, two targets of the same size, with both the remainingtargets in the same set being different in size to each other, and botha different size to the partnering two targets of the same set and thesefour targets may or may not vary in shape. Lastly, again a set of fourtargets, where two targets can be of the same size, and the partneringtwo targets in the same set, are again the same size as each other, butbeing different in size to the other two targets, in the same set, againthe targets in this set could be the same shape, or variably shaped.

All the target frames on the dartboard could all be identical, or couldvary in shape, as could the targets in the frames. All the target frameson the dartboard could all be identical in size, as could the targets inthe frames.

The concept of targets lighting up on a dartboard, applies to dartboardswhere darts are physically propelled into dartboards or computer imagedartboards, plus any other apparatus, where dartboards are used ordartboard images of any kind are also used. Any kind of manual, orelectronic mechanisms or relays of any kind can be used to transmit,electrical or other types of signals including light, in order toactivate and relay the necessary signals from the source to the lit updart targets. There can be any amount of targets on the dart board, andtherefore any amount of lit up targets.

On lighting the target, the light can be emitted or transferred from thetarget and directly into the atmosphere, or as with computer, images orother electronic imaging equipment, the target image is passed through ascreen, and the light from the screen is again emitted or transferreddirectly into the atmosphere. Alternatively the light is shone onto thetarget and reflects off the target and again directly into theatmosphere, with the target being of course the actual dartboard target.Further light can be emitted from lighting components within the targetframes, with the light from the frames indicating which target isoccupied, and the light does not need to shine onto the targets, but canshine into the atmosphere directly, also the same would apply tolighting c components which can be placed outside the target area, butwould be near enough to the targets for the darts players to see whichtarget the light was indicating to be occupied.

Another means used to provide power or electricity to the dartboard ordartboard lights would be by a clockwork generator the generator powercould be generated by winding up the generator, manually or otherwise.The generator could be wound up via a clockwork mechanism, usingrotation or other means to turn a connecting key, handle or other waysto grip or hold the clockwork generator winding attachments. Any othertype of manually operated generator can be used to provide electricityor any other type of power to the dartboard and its integral or detachedcomponents. which in turn would provide lit up dart targets or otherdartboard features. The clockwork and other generator possible generatormechanisms can be made from plastic, metal, such as brass copper, steeland other metals, and electrical insulating materials and further tothese many other materials can be used.

Another feature of the dartboard can be using the whole of theindividual targets, or the whole of the target frames as electronicbuttons, so the target pierce able or non pierce able material,including or excluding the target frame or frames would be used totrigger off the electrical components.

Although six color buttons 10 are shown in FIG. 1 many other buttons orother means of providing a large color range of lit up targets can beused.

The materials used to manufacture this dartboard can vary widely,however some of the materials that may possibly be used are mentionedbelow.

To make the dartboard body, which includes the playing surface varioustypes of fiber can be used, which can be pig bristle, wood fibers,plastic fibers, and other fiber material. Wood or paper plus cork andother materials are acceptable, including fiber optics. All the abovematerials can be used to make a pierce able dartboard and a non pierceable dartboard, however non pierce able dartboards can also be made frommagnetic material, or have hook and loop playing surface material plusother commonly used materials. The dartboard mentioned above is shown inperspective in 1, FIG. 1. The dartboard also includes an electricalcontrol box, which are usually made from metal, plastic and electricalinsulating material, plus other materials, and the control box is 2,FIG. 2. The target frames 4, can be made from plastic, metal such assteel, brass and other suitable materials, and the target switches canbe made from, metal, plastic and other materials. 8, are the electroniceye detectors, which can be made from toughened glass, plastic and othersubstances, 9, are the lights which can be toughened glass metal plasticand other suitable materials. The parts in the switch assembly can be,metal, such as copper, steel, chromium, brass, gold, and other metals,also plastic and electrical insulating material and other suitablematerials. The parts in the switch assembly are 1, 5, 6, 7, 17 to 29,and 30 is the light emitting bulb, made from toughened glass or othersuitable light emitting materials, 32 is the light guard, which can bemoulded into the target frame, or attached to the target frame. 33, is atarget button which is attached or housed by the target frames, and canbe plastic metal or other materials.

The light emitted or provided by the dart targets can be of any color.Any shape of dartboard can be used to play on, and any size of dartboardcan be used also.

The targets or target frames include individual targets or targetgroups, and these can be utilized on any dartboard, and would includeadjacent and non adjacent target symbols. Adjacent and non adjacenttarget symbols refers to targets where the symbols are adjacent or nonadjacent to other target symbols, that are included in the targetarrangement. Any of the targets or target frames used on any particulardartboard can be of any shape and any size.

The targets can be arranged in rows or columns or situated and againarranged in any position relative to each other, so this means that anygame pattern can be utilized. The targets can be either fitted to thedartboard or be separated from the dartboard.

Any materials or elements, including suitable elements can be used formaking the dartboard and its integral or detached components needed toprovide a dartboard with a lit up target, with the components existingbetween the electrical or other source matter or element; and the lightemitted or reflected from the target or targets.

The targets can be lit up by any means possible whether by electricalmeans or other. Any components or suitably designed components can beused to make the dartboards mentioned in this patent. Reference is madeto lit up targets or target, but the feature of the targets lighting up,also includes any dartboard material which constitutes part of theplaying surface of the dartboard, such as non target areas.

Any amount of target buttons can be used on the target areas and off thetarget areas, such as the remaining playing surface of the dartboard.There can also be any amount of buttons used on the control box, withthe buttons used to select a particular colour, used to light up theplaying surface of the dartboard. The sizes of target symbols used inthe dartboard in FIG. 1, are 32 sq mm, 34 sq mm and 36 sq mm, but theycan be any size or any suitable size. The target frames can alsocomprise of two targets, which are the same size, or one target beinglarger than the other.

Any design of target button can be utilized and the target buttons canbe placed anywhere within the target area or outside the target area, orcan be part of the target frame. The target buttons can also be referredto as light activators, such as any shape or size of activator. Thetarget buttons are push button operated but they can be pulled, turnedor switched, such as switches are, and again the same would apply tolight activators, and any kind of movement by the light activators, tolight up the dartboard targets can be deployed.

This patent covers dartboards where the darts are propelled into thedartboard by being thrown physically by the player or propelled by othermeans such as a gun or other mechanical device. Also this patent coversor protects any mechanical device, including manually operatedgenerators or electrically operated generators or light transmission oremission devices, electrical transmission or conduction devices orcomponents, that can be utilized between the electrical power sourcelight transmission source or any other light producing source, and thedartboard playing surface and or targets.

Emission or light release from the playing surface of the dartboardincluding target areas and areas surrounding the targets can includelight that is shone onto the playing surface, which illuminates andreflects back off the playing surface to show a lit up target area andor playing surface area, light can also be transmitted through the solidstructure of some target or playing surface materials such astransparent plastic, opalescent plastic and opaque plastic and any othersuitable materials that can transmit and emit light and is suitable fordartboard use.

Tubular fibers will allow light to pass through the hole that is usuallyin the fiber centre, and resulting in the light being emitted on thedartboard playing surface. Light can also pass or transfer through theplaying surface by travelling alongside and through the atmosphere thatsurrounds the target fibers or material on the dartboard playingsurface. The light emitted from the dartboard playing surface can be anycolor. All the components used in these dartboards can be made from anyelements or suitable matter. All the components used in making this orthese dartboards can be of any suitable design, which will fulfill theirfunction requirements.

FIG. 5 illustrates an electrical circuit diagram showing electricalwires or components that can be utilized to light up the dartboardtargets. 35 to 43 FIG. 5 shows the electrical circuit mechanism, andusing a battery as the electrical source. 44 to 48 shows the wires andterminals that can be used when a to touch sensitive target button orother component is used as the electrical source. Where the source 35 isa battery, the terminals 38 and 39 will connect when the target button 7FIG. 3 is pushed, 38 and 39 are of course connected to terminals 19 and27 FIG. 3 or terminals 38 and 39 can be terminals 19 and 27. Whenterminals 38 and 39 are closed, electrical power is drawn from thebattery, and electricity is conducted along wires 36 and 37, with theelectricity in wires 36 and 37 passing through two coils 43 and 40, withthe coils of course increasing the power of the electrical current.Terminals 40 and 41 are activated, and in turn the target light 42 islit.

In the touch sensitive device 44 and 45 are terminals are activated orconnected when touched by a human finger or other bodily parts. Toconnect the circuit moisture conducts electricity from 44 to 45 thusactivating an electrical circuit that will light up the target. Staticelectricity may also be utilized to connect terminals 44 and 45 if thiswas proved to be possible. The electrical circuit diagram FIG. 5 showstwo different electrical circuits one for battery use and the other forhuman touch sensitivity, however any source of electricity or power canbe used.

1. An electronic dartboard that includes hit detection means and visuallit up score display, providing an electronic scoreboard, wherein thescoreboard can conduct, transfer and transmit light, and emit andreflect light into the atmosphere.
 2. An electronic scoreboard as inclaim 1, that includes hit detection push buttons, and the buttonsprovide scoreboard targets and can light up, and are able to conduct,transfer and transmit light, and emit and reflect light into theatmosphere.
 3. An electronic scoreboard as in claim 1, pierce able andnon-pierce able that includes dart targets that light up, and thescoreboard including the target material can conduct, transfer andtransmit light, the scoreboard and target material can also emit andreflect light into the atmosphere, or allow light to pass by the targetsand scoreboard material structure, the scoreboard can have any number oftargets, any shape of targets and board and any game pattern can beutilized, the scoreboard components that make up the electronicscoreboard can be of any design and number and can be made from anysuitable elements or materials, any source of electrical or other powercan be utilized to operate the scoreboard or satisfy the functionalrequirements for the game to be played, any means of lighting the darttargets can be used not just electricity, the power source needed tooperate the scoreboard can be manually generated or power generated byelectricity or any other power source.
 4. An electronic scoreboardincluding targets and target buttons that are made from optic fibers orinclude optic fibers within their structure, the optic fibers canconduct transfer and transmit light, and emit and reflect light into theatmosphere.
 5. An electronic scoreboard having button targets thatregister a hit by touching, wherein the touch targets can be of anydesign.
 6. An electronic scoreboard including target color selectors. 7.An electronic dartboard wherein the dartboard components including thetargets conduct, transfer and transmit light and emit and reflect lightinto the atmosphere.